Influence of Integrated Nutrient Management on Growth, Yield and Quality of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in Uttar Pradesh, India

Abstract

Background: Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) has emerged as a sustainable approach to enhance crop productivity as well as maintain soil health. The synergistic interaction of chemical and organic sources enhances nitrogen fixation, auxin production, and nutrient synchrony, leading to improved biomass production and grain yield. This study investigates the effect of various INM practices on the growth parameters, yield components, and quality attributes of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) during the 2022–23 and 2023–24 cropping seasons. The field experiment was conducted at Agriculture Research Farm of J.V. College, Baraut (Baghpat) Uttar Pradesh, India. The experimental treatments comprised different combinations of chemical fertilizers, organic manures, and biofertilizers. Results revealed that the integrated nutrient application significantly improved plant height, number of tillers per meter row length, and dry matter accumulation (DMA) at harvest. The lowest protein content was noted in the control (T1), with 7.6% and 7.8% in the respective years. The lowest protein yield was observed in the control plot, with only 208.0 and 224.4 kg ha⁻¹. This increase in protein yield is largely a combined effect of higher grain yield and Higher protein concentration. Furthermore, INM treatments recorded higher grain yield and improved grain quality in terms of protein content and 1000-grain weight, compared to control and sole fertilizer applications. These findings underscore the importance of adopting INM strategies for sustainable wheat production, ensuring long-term fertility and productivity of soils. The findings affirm that integrating organic and inorganic nutrient sources along with biofertilizers provides a sustainable and effective strategy for increasing crop yield and quality. Therefore, adoption of INM practices can be recommended for improving agricultural productivity while maintaining soil fertility and long-term sustainability.